MBA exams to watch out for: Keep tabs on important management entrance tests to increase your chances of getting into top B-schools

With MBAs gaining popularity among students determined to scale the corporate ladder, the competition to get a seat in one of the top institutes is getting even stronger. In order to secure a place, students need to sit for multiple examinations like CAT, GMAT, XAT, and NMAT among others, that are conducted at the national, state and university levels. A list of five most popular, and in-demand national MBA entrance exams that can be of help to you.

COMMON ADMISSION TEST (CAT) CAT is one of the most competitive exams in the country and is jointly conducted by all 20 IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management). CAT scores are accepted by almost all business schools. The applications are out in August, and the exam is held in November. Format It is a computer-administered test with 100 questions divided into three sections; verbal ability-reading comprehension, data interpretation-logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. Duration:` Total three hours with 60 minutes for each section Eligibility: Graduation with minimum 50 per cent or equivalent CGPA. Students appearing for their final graduation exams are also eligible to sit for this entrance test.

XAVIER'S ADMISSION TEST (XAT) The Xavier Aptitude Test is an all-India exam conducted by Xavier Association of Management Institutes. Institutes accepting XAT score include Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli, and Goa Institute of Management, Goa. The application process begins around August, and the exam is usually conducted in January. Format It is a paper-pencil test divided neatly into four sections; decision making, verbal and logical ability, and quantitative ability-data interpretation, and essay writing-general awareness. Duration: Candidates are allotted 170 minutes for first three sections and 35 minutes for the fourth Eligibility: Graduation with 50 per cent score is good

NARSEE MONJEE ADMISSION TEST (NMAT) BY GMAC Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test is a computer administered exam for admissions to leading graduate business programmes. It is a pre-requisite for Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, among other uni versities. Registrations open in July and candidates can take the online test from October to December. An aspirant is allowed three attempts in a year with a gap of 15 days between two dates. Format NMAT is a multiple-choice, objective test with three sections; language skills, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning, with a total of 120 questions. Duration: Candidates are allotted 120 minutes to complete the test Eligibility: Graduation with 50 per cent

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN TRADE (IIFT) Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is one of the top B-schools in the country for international business. Conducted in November, the entrance exam has no age limit. The test is taken by around 60,000 candidates vying for 270 seats in Delhi and Kolkata. Format It is a paper-pencil, multiple-choice test with four sections; quantitative ability, data interpretation-logical ability, verbal ability-reading comprehension, and general awareness. The number of questions varies every year and students need to keep a check on that. Duration: Candidates have 120 minutes Eligibility: Graduation from a recognised university

SYMBIOSIS NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST (SNAP) Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is the MBA entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International University, Pune, for admission to its 13 B-schools that have a total of 1,885 seats. Around 30,000 students sit for the test every year. SNAP is conducted in December and the sale of application begins in August. Format It is written test divided into four sections; general english, quantitative and data interpretation and data sufficiency, current affairs, and analytical and logical reasoning. Duration: Candidates are allotted 120 minutes to complete the test Eligibility: Graduation with minimum of 50 per cent.

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) Management Aptitude Test is a national-level management entrance examination. The test scores are used for admission to various MBA, PGDM and allied management programmes. The exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT is held four times in a year: February, May, September and December. Exam dates and other schedules are generally announced three months before the exam.